Baby Sleeping Sign: It is common for infants to sleep for 16 to 19 hours daily in the first two weeks of birth. Although, it is important to know that babies are wired differently so expect the strangest behavior from your infant to avoid getting disappointed.
Get this right: The approximate 19 hours of sleep isn’t done in a stretch. Babies sleep in 30 minutes to 4 hour rounds to make up that figure. That is because of how frequently they need to be fed. Infact, it becomes almost impossible for you to get enough sleep yourself due to their haphazard sleep patterns.
Every infant develops a specific sleep pattern and signs as he/she grows. So, a baby sleeping sign should be observed by every parent to prevent delirium or post natal dejection from occurring.
Best Baby Sleeping Signs ideas for Parents
Beyond 2 to 3 weeks of birth, you will notice a decline in the length of your baby’s sleeping time. They begin to sleep for shorter periods throughout the day. While some infants sleep for only 9 hours, others enjoy up to 14 hours daily.
Don’t worry, you will get used to it. The only drawback could be that you may experience sleep deprivation yourself. Just ensure that you seize every opportunity to relax and unwind by catching naps anytime he is asleep. You will master the baby sleeping sign your infant displays within a short period.
Some babies are born with disorders which can affect their sleeping habits. If you notice that your child gets too cranky and restless, quickly inform your doctor before things go beyond control. Baby sleep disorders signs are strange and easily identified through the infant’s discomfort and sufferings.
There is a hormone called melatonin which is responsible for inducing sleep in both babies and adults. The moment we settle in our beds to rest, melatonin begins its secretion the moment our brain picks up a message that we are in “rest mode.”
Note that there is something known as a “circadian rhythm” which regulates an adult’s sleep timing within a 24 hour period. Our exposure to daylight influences this pattern and greatly determines how much sleep we enjoy at night. You could mimic night time darkness by shading off daylight to extend your overall sleeping time.
The circadian rhythm gradually develops in babies and is determined by how much you control their exposure to light. It has been proven that babies sleep better in a darker room than one which is brightly lit.
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What Are Baby Sleeping Signs?
When your baby shows lack of interest in any activity, looks dazed, or suddenly becomes calm and quiet, then you should know that he is about to fall asleep.
This normally occurs after a full tank of breastfeeding or a soothing bath. With breastfeeding, what happens is that an amino acid, tryptophan which helps in secreting the sleep hormone, melatonin is released in the breast milk.
Other babies may show signs of sleepiness when they come in contact with their parent’s body. That is as a result of the warmth and reassurance they derive in the contact. This mother and baby sleeping sign helps to create a bond between you and your child.
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Baby Sleeping Sign Printable
You can find printable baby sleeping signs online or just create a simple one on your PC. Printable sleeping signs are safe havens especially when you manage to get your baby to nap during the daytime.
It simply warns any visitor or delivery guy of your sleeping baby. There are several captions to choose from like:
- DO NOT RING THE BELL, PLEASE KNOCK GENTLY… BABY IS SLEEPING
- BABY IS ASLEEP, WAKE HER UP AND BE READY TO ROCK HER BACK TO SLEEP”
- GO AHEAD, RING THE BELL AND GO BACK HOME WITH A GIFT: A CRANKY BABY
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Baby Sign Language Sleep
Here are two different sleep language signs you can teach your baby to demonstrate when she is tired, sleepy, or it’s bedtime.
One method is to put both palms of your hands together. Then with your dominant hand beneath and your less dominant hand on top, rest one cheek on your closed palms. Make sure you are resting your dominant cheek (which is on the same side as your dominant hand) on your covered palms. Do that with your eyes shut.
The second method is demonstrated with only one hand (the dominant one). Spread your dominant fingers over your temple and act like you are sleepy. Then let your fingers and thumb touch themselves while you slowly slide your hand down below your chin.
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Baby Sleeping Door Sign
Door signs for sleeping babies can come in various forms. The idea behind draping a sign on the nursery door is to alert every member of the house to maintain silence.
If you have older kids in the house that cannot be quiet when your infant is asleep, you may introduce “white noise” in the nursery or in the room where he sleeps. It will drown any disturbing noise around the house. A good standing fan can do the trick.
Otherwise, download an image of a sleeping baby which can be easily interpreted by toddlers who cannot read printable signs yet.
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Baby Sleeping Sign for Front Door
In this case, you can use either printables or images to create awareness of your sleeping baby. The front door should be free from irrelevant decoration to help you pass your warning across to everyone. Below are some tips:
- INCASE YOU LIKE KNOCK-KNOCK JOKES, BE PREPARED TO ALSO GET A KNOCK OR SOOTHE A CRYING BABY
- PLEASE DROP ME A NOTE OR LEAVE PACKAGE AT THE DOOR. I JUST SUCCEEDED IN LULLING MY BABY TO SLEEP
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Baby Deep Sleep Signs
From birth, your baby will show signs of “active sleep” or REM (rapid eye movement) during which he can easily stir in his sleep or awake suddenly from any slight noise. REM usually lasts longer than deep sleep.
In addition to REM, your infant will fall into deep sleep a few times during his entire 14 to 19 hours of sleep. Deep sleep is characterized by little or no movement. Your baby remains motionless and may seem like he is not breathing. Deep sleep is not so safe for infants due to the high chance of SIDS associated with it.
Conclusively
Don’t follow the myth that says “the more exposure to daylight, the better a baby sleeps longer.”
Encourage daytime naps for your baby and co-sleeping with him/her.
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